[mr48chev]

A "race" manifold won't help much if any on a very mild street engine but I could tell the difference on one of my engines when I swapped to an Edelbrock performer. Noticeable difference in mid range pulling over the cast iron Intake I had on it before.

Carb choice has to be what you personally like and get along with. I've had great luck with the Q jet on my 454 in my 77 one ton when I used a kit from one of the Q jet specialists. Worn throttle shafts and the need to fix that are usually the big Q jet issues. I've got to build one for the Cad 500 in my 71 now.

I ran Holley carbs for years and even built one with mix and match parts to make a carb that didn't exist back a few years ago. Basically center pivot bowls on a regular 4 barrel. I ran a Spread bore double pumper for a long time until I had a backfire that melted the air horn a bit too much.

My last go around with the 350 in my 71 before it gave out and I put the 500 in it I ran a 600 Edelbrock that was pretty well care free and then installed an HEI on it that was the best move I made with that engine in that truck. It's a pretty good combo on a mild street engine.